Small Internet service providers are "stunned" that the Federal Communications Commission is enforcing a ban on Huawei and ZTE network gear during the ongoing pandemic.
The FCC already voted unanimously in November 2019 to ban Huawei and ZTE equipment in projects paid for by the commission's Universal Service Fund (USF). But the ban, inspired by fears that the Chinese vendors' equipment poses national security risks, is just now coming into effect, with the FCC announcing yesterday that USF money "may no longer be used to purchase, obtain, maintain, improve, modify, or otherwise support any equipment or services produced or provided by these suppliers."
The Rural Wireless Association (RWA), a trade group that represents ISPs that serve fewer than 100,000 subscribers each, said yesterday it is "stunned by [the] FCC's decision to immediately bar use of USF funds on Huawei and ZTE equipment and services during a time when it is critical to keep rural Americans connected."
(Score: 0, Troll) by khallow on Thursday July 02 2020, @12:12PM (2 children)
More likely than who?
(Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 02 2020, @02:45PM (1 child)
more likely than IF they followed precautions?
Why does it have to be about WHO instead of WHAT YOU DO? I thought it was obvious from the sentence
(Score: 1) by khallow on Thursday July 02 2020, @11:01PM
Because that is quite relevant too. It's also about WHEN. You could have snorked all the snot you wanted in 2018 and you wouldn't get COVID-19 - maybe something worse, but not COVID-19.
Politicizing basic precautions in rural land is a lot safer than when you're packed in with a few thousand other people.